Apparatus for forming boxes

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for forming boxes or box covers, the apparatus having feeding means and forming means that are both driven by a common driving means, the forming means being operable in a reciprocating, substantially arcuate motion to impart vertical motion to box blanks or box cover blanks prior to operation of the forming means on the blanks.

United States Patent Bayer et al.

[54] APPARATUS FOR FORMING BOXES [56] References Cited [72] Inventors: Oldrich Bayer; Josef Snasel; Jiri UNITED STATES PATENTS Premyslovsky; Frantisek Smalcl, all of Gottwaldov Czechoslovakia 3,087,391 4/1963 Oakley ..93/5l R 3,590,700 7/1971 Paxton et al. ....93/5l R [73! Asfiigneel Podnik, Gmtwaldw, 3,102,457 9/1963 Walker ..93/s1 R Czechoslovakia [22] Filed: May 19, 1971 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Spruill [2]] pp No 144 801 Attorney-Richard Low and Murray Schatfer [57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apparatus for form ng boxes or box covers, the ap- May 26, Czechoslovakia t paratus having feeding means and forming means I are both driven by a common driving means, the fonn- :J-tS-(gl. g means being operable in a reciprocating substan E 93/51 R tially arcuate motion to impart vertical motion to box blanks or box cover blanks prior to operation of the forming means on the blanks.

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H J E e r -/2 firji I 2; U "ml/r q If 46a 3 APPARATUS FOR FORMING BOXES BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to box forming machines and in particular to apparatus for forming and folding precut box blanks.

In packaging and enclosing a wide variety of products, there is an increasing utilization of boxes and covers produced by forming or folding box or carton and cover blanks without application of adhesives, staples or other fastening means at the time of packaging. The box or carton blanks, as well as the cover blanks, are generally prefolded and fastened by cement along the side edges. On the other hand, the front and rear edges of the blanks are not folded until they are manipulated by suitable machines. Generally, the front and rear edges of the blanks are provided with flaps, which, when forming takes place are inserted into slits, notches or cuts arranged on the side edges of the blanks BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of an apparatus or machine according to the invention, which is to be taken in conjunction with the detailed disclosure herein below, is

which, along with the flaps, form locks to insure the shape of the finished cover or box. Precise cutting of the blanks insures, of course, precise and reliable forming by the machine.

In presently known box and cover forming machines, each manipulating means, such as the blank feeding means and forming means, for example, is usually provided with its own driving means or unit. Although the driving units, such as, for example, pneumatic cylinders are generally connected to a common source of compressed air, additional means are required in order to synchronize the action of the various manipulating means in a properly timed sequence. Such an arrangement presents numerous difficulties, such as complex construction of the multiple number of driving units, increased chances of operating trouble and consequently more down time, as well as high cost of construction, maintenance and repair. The present invention eliminates the above mentioned disadvantage by providing an apparatus or machine of relatively simplified construction and which has a common driving means for all the manipulative operations.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention, apparatus for forming box covers or boxes from blanks, is provided comprising feeding means and forming means driven by a common driving means, the forming means being adapted to move with reciprocating horizontal motion and and the feeding means being operative in substantially arcuate motion to impart vertical motion to box blanks or box cover blanks prior to operation of the forming means on the blanks.

The present invention particularly, provides an apparatus or machine in which the motion of the feeding means and forming means is derived from a single, common driving means, generally a pneumatic pressure cylinder and includes a supply or stock bin for box or carton blanks or cover blanks. The feeding means associated therewith, is arranged above the forming means. A plunger and a pair of racks are mounted on the piston rod of the pressure cylinder, the racks engaging gears associated with the forming means and controlling locking plates on the forming means. In addition, a lifting wedge is also mounted on the piston rod of the pressure cylinder, the wedge being connected to a lever which controls the arcuate swinging movement shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation taken from the front of the apparatus showing the piston at its neutral or bottom dead center position and the feeding means and forming means likewise in neutral operating position;

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation taken from the front of the apparatus showing the piston in its operative or top dead center position and the feeding means and forming means likewise in operative position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the machine or apparatus taken from the side at which the completed boxes or cartons or tops, therefrom are removed;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the forming means showing the piston at its neutral or bottom dead center position and the locking plates in their neutral operating position;

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the forming means showing the piston at its operative or top dead center and the locking plates in their operative position; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the supply or stock bin having blanks therein held in place by releasable fingers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3, the apparatus or machine for forming boxes or box covers comprises a suitable supporting means such as a base 1 having suitably fixed thereto, generally upright supporting members 2, such as walls. Fixed to the base 1, in a convenient manner, such as by bolts 2a or other fastening means are supporting members 3 which support a pneumatic pressure cylinder 4 in a horizontal position. Pressure cylinder 4 is preferably a double acting piston-cylinder provided with inlets 5 and 6 connected to a source of compressed air or hydraulic fluid. Suitable valves valves and electrical or other automatic controls are provided to obtain sequential operation of the cylinder 4. The cylinder is further provided with lateral extensions 4a and upright extensions 4b and with a piston and rod, generally identified by numeral 7. The piston rod 7 is provided on one end with a holding mount 8 to which guide bars 9 are fixed. The guide bars 9 are slidably mounted in the lateral extensions 4a of the cylinder and extend parallel to the piston 7 to insure coordinated parallel movement between the piston rod 7, holding mount 8. The guide bars 9 are equipped with adjustably positionable detents or stop 10 by which the lengthwise movement of the piston rod can be regulated. A collar 11 is fixed to holding mount 8 and supports a vertically mounted plunger 12 which is centered on the axis of piston rod 7. Extending at right angles to the axis of the piston, at the bottom of the holding mount 8 are suitably fixed anchor bars 13. Fixed to the outer ends of the anchor bars 13 are brackets 14 and bolts 15 by which racks 16 are supported at one end, their other end being supported by the folding means disclosed more fully hereinbelow.

Located transversely of plunger 12 and fixed to the base 1 are vertically disposed supporting members 17 upon which a forming frame 18 is supported. Along the front of the forming frame 18 are vertically mounted supporting bars 19 and guide walls 20. Both bars 19 and walls 20 are supported by horizontal members 18a of the forming frameat the top and 18b at the bottom. Pivotable locking plates 21 are also mounted between the guide walls on horizontal members. 18a and 18b of the formingframe by means of pins 22 which extend through members 18b of the forming frameby means of pins 22 which extend through members 18b and have gears 23 fixed to their lower ends below member 18b. Gears 23 engage racks 16, thereby completing their support and providing a synchronized movement of the locking plates 21, holding mount 8, plunger 12 and piston rod 7.

Located between the holding mount 8 and immediately adjacent the forming frame 18 is a vertically arranged feed guide 24. The guide 24 is fixed to member 18 by pins 26 and serves for guiding blanks into a true vertical position to be pushed by the pusher 12 into the frame 18 where it is folded. The frame 18 is extended at its rear end to form a tray 27 provided with adjustable side fences 28 for receiving the folded blank. Located above the forming frame 18 the upright sup port members 2 are connected to each other by cross bar member 29, under which a shaft 30 is rotatably journalled in members 2 by support rings 31. A pair of arms 32 are fixed to shaft 30. Each of the arms 32 have a pair of vacuum or suction cups 33 mounted in sleeves thereon. The sleeves are adjustably fastened to the arms 32 in a convenient manner. Mounted at the midpoint on shaft 30 is a finger 34 which extends rearwardly and is movableon rotation of the shaft 30 transversely of finger. 34 and to one side of on of the arms 32 in a bifurcated crank arm 35 to which is pivotally mounted one end of a connecting link 36. The other end of link 36 is pivotally connected to a lever 37 rotatably mounted on a shaft 38 which in turn is pivotally mountedbetween one of the wall members 2 and the upright extension 4b of the cylinder, being conveniently secured by C-clamp 39 or similar fastening rings. A second lever 40 equipped with a roller follower 41 is also mounted on shaft 38 above the pressure cylinder 4. Follower 41 rides on the upper surface of a lifting wedge cam 42 which is fixed at one end to holding mount 8 and at its other end rides in grooves 43 formed in pressure cylinder 4. Permanent contact of the follower 41 with the lifting wedge 42 is ensured by above the pressure cylinder 4. The cross bar 51 is provided with measuring means 52, such as a grade scale or ruler divisions. A pair of brackets 53 are adjustably mounted on the cross bar 51 and connected to slip rails 54. The brackets are provided with locking bolts 55 in order to secure them in adjusted position. I

Mounted between the opposed walls 2 (FIG. 6) is a cross bar 56 journalled for rotation by bearings 57. A pair of connecting bars 58 are slidable on the cross bar 56, being secured-thereto by sleeves 58a. The connecting bars 58 extend across the machine to brackets 53 at their other end. A pair of releasable fingers 59 are also anchored in bracket 53 and a likepair of fingers 60-are fixed in holders 61 slidably mounted on bars 58, thus forming the supply or stock bin for the blanks.

A machine in accordance with this invention, operates in the following manner in forming box covers. Blanks 25 are laid into the supply or stock bin between the slip rails 54, the bottom blank being kept in place by meansof releasable fingers'59 and 60, as well as by proper adjustment of the brackets 53 and holders 61, to provide proper width and length for the fingers. This stage is seen in FIG. 1, and operation is then ready to be started by feeding compressed air to the cylinder 4 and at the same time actuating the vacuum circuit connected to valve 47, which is maintained in open condition by the finger 34 pushing flap 50 upwards (FIG. 1). The action of the compressed air passing through inlet 6 and behind the piston, causes the piston rod 7 and the plunger 12 to move in the direction of the forming frame 18. Concurrently, with v the movement of the piston rod and plunger, the lifting wedge 42 noses in the groove 43 and the upper surface of the wedge is followed by follower 41 of the lever 40, causing a swinging movement of lever 37, thereby lifting connecting link 36. The movement of the connecting link 36 turns shaft 30 and moves arm 32 in an arc spring 44 fixed to the follower and to pin 44a on outbringing the vacuum cups 33 into contact with the bottom blank 25 stored in the bin. At this moment, finger 34 releases flap 50, closing the vacuum circuit and the cups 33 grasps the blank (FIG. 2), next the piston rod 7 is moved back by feeding compressed air to inlet 5 and thus returning lever 37 to its starting position. The connecting link 36, therefore, swings the arm 32 to its original position (FIG. 1) with blank 25 being released by fingers 59 and 60 and being carried along in vertical position over guides 24. When the blank 25 reaches vertical position, finger 34 lifts flap 50 of the valve 47 interrupting the vacuum circuit and allowing the blank to fall into guides 24 and between the forming frame 18 and plunger 12 (FIG. 1). On the subsequent cycles the same movements take place except that the plunger 12 pushes the waiting blank 25 into the forming frame 18 folding the side, front and rear edges until the blank 25 is pushed between guide walls 20 and forms a completed box 62. When moving the piston rod 7 back, the racks 16 move along with it and the gears 23 turn the locking plates 21. As soon as the plunger 12 leaves the forming frame 18, the locking plates 21 prolong their turning movement, thereby folding fully the edges of the front, the rear and the sides of the blank 25 and pressing them against the guide walls 20. Thus, the box cover 62 is finished. In the meantime the arms 32 with the vacuum cups 33 have oscillated into position for another blank 25 and now are returning to the vertical position. When the piston of the pressure cylinder 4 reaches its bottom dead center on starting position, the vacuum circuit is interrupted by the finger 34 and the next blank falls into the guides 24 in front of the forming frame 18, being guided by the guides 24 onto the pins 26.

The action of the locking plates 21 and the plunger 12 is synchronized, so that in the forming frame space the locking plates 21 alternate with the plunger 12 to prevent a forming blank from being pushed backwardly. I

The finished box cover 62 is always pushed by the next box cover-out of the forming frame 18 onto the tray 27, along which the box covers 62 are pushed between the two side fences 28, the distance of which is in approximate response with the box cover length, so that the side fences 28 resist the pushed box covers 62. Thus, the top of the box cover is pushed into the space of the receding box cover.

Thus, in accordance with this invention the machine has the following results and advantages. During a single working cycle, which is determined by the movement of the piston from its top dead center orstarting position to the bottomdead center or operative position and back, a box cover is completely folded and simultaneously the next blank is fed to position in front of the forming frame.

The speed of the machine motion, which is selected to suit the size and kind of the particular folded box covers or boxes, is easily controlled from one source, for example, by means of a timing relay, which controls the compressed air being fed alternately into either of the both inlets of the pressure cylinder. v

The machine design of the invention eliminates complicated systems of separate driving units for every working means, as well as difficult synchronization of these driving units.

For making box covers or boxes of different sizes, it is sufficient only to change the forming frame and plunger. The other parts of the respective working means and of the stock bin need not be changed, since they can be easily adjusted.

What is claimed:

1. Apparatus for forming box covers or boxes from blanks comprising a supporting base having substantially vertical front and rear walls, forming means located on said base comprising a pressure cylinder having a reciprocating piston and rod, adapted to move in a plane substantially parallel to and above said base, a plunger located on one end of said rod and a forming frame said forming frame comprising a plurality of vertically dispersed supporting bars and guide walls and vertically disposed, pivotally mounted locking plates located between said guide walls, said locking plates turning on pins extendingthrough the bottom of said forming frame and having gears fixed to the lower ends,

said gears cooperating with racks connected at one end to the horizontally reciprocating means for movement in a reciprocating horizontal direction along with said horizontally reciprocating means, feeding means adaptedto reciprocate in a substantially arcuate path located above and connected to said horizontally reciprocating means through a connecting rod and supported by said front and rear walls in cooperative as sociation with supply means located above said forming means and transverse to said feeding means, the driving movement of said horizontally reciprocating means and said feeding means being derived from a common source through said horizontally reciprocating means and imparted to said feeding meansthrough said connecting rod.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure cylinder is provided with a groove through which a lifting wedge is mounted on the piston rod and a lever including a follower is mounted on a shaft, said follower adapted to ride on said lifting wedge and the opposite end of said shaft being attached to another lever which is fixed to the lower end of the connecting rod joining the horizontally reciprocating means and the feeding means.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a holding mount is fixed to the piston rod between the plunger and the pressure cylinder and laterally dispersed guidewalls are fixed at one end to the hold mount and pass through openings in the body of the pressure cylinder imparting coordinated parallel movement of said piston rod and said holding mount.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including a pair of anchor bars fixed to the bottom of the holding mount and extending at a right angle to the axis of the piston rod, said anchor bars being fixed to racks at their opposite ends, said racks meshing with gears fixed between the bottom of the forming frame on pins supporting the vertically dispersed locking plates in said forming frame, thereby imparting horizontally reciprocating said racks and pivotal movement to said locking plates upon reciprocating movement of the piston rod.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said feeding means comprises a shaft supported by the front and rear walls of the supporting base, a fork connected to said shaft and to one end of the connecting rod, a pair of depending shoulders having a plurality of adjustable vacuum cups located thereon fixed to said shaft transversed to said fork, a finger fixed to said shaft substantially midway between said shoulders, a cross bar supported by said front and rear walls located above said shaft and a vacuum valve provided with a flap fixed to said cross bar and manipulated by said finger in response to movement of said shaft through said connecting rod. 

1. Apparatus for forming box covers or boxes from blanks comprising a supporting base having substantially vertical front and rear walls, forming means located on said base comprising a pressure cylinder having a reciprocating piston and rod, adapted to move in a plane substantially parallel to and above said base, a plunger located on one end of said rod and a forming frame said forming frame comprising a plurality of vertically dispersed supporting bars and guide walls and vertically disposed, pivotally mounted locking plates located between said guide walls, said locking plates turning on pins extending through the bottom of said forming frame and having gears fixed to the lower ends, said gears cooperating with racks connected at one end to the horizontally reciprocating means for movement in a reciprocating horizontal direction along with said horizontally reciprocating means, feeding means adapted to reciprocate in a substantially arcuate path located above and connected to said horizontally reciprocating means through a connecting rod and supported by said front and rear walls in cooperative association with supply means located above said forming means and transverse to said feeding means, the driving movement of said horizontally reciprocating means and said feeding means being derived from a common source through said horizontally reciprocating means and imparted to said feeding means through said connecting rod.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pressure cylinder is provided with a groove through which a lifting wedge is mounted on the piston rod and a lever including a follower is mounted on a shaft, said follower adapted to ride on said lifting wedge and the opposite end of said shaft being attached to another lever which is fixed to the lower end of the connecting rod joining the horizontally reciprocating means and the feeding means.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a holding mount is fixed to the piston rod between the plunger and the pressure cylinder and laterally dispersed guidewalls are fixed at one end to the hold mount and pass through openings in the body of the pressure cylinder imparting coordinated parallel movement of said piston rod and said holding mount.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including a pair of anchor bars fixed to the bottom of the holding mount and extending at a right angle to the axis of the piston rod, said anchor bars being fixed to racks at their opposite ends, said racks meshing with gears fixed between the bottom of the forming frame on pins supporting the vertically dispersed locking plates in said forming frame, thereby imparting horizontally reciprocating said racks and pivotal movement to said locking plates upon reciprocating movement of the piston rod.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said feeding means comprises a shaft supported by the front and rear walls of the supporting base, a fork connected to said shaft and to one end of the connecting rod, a pair of depending shoulders having a plurality of adjustable vacuum cups located thereon fixed to said shaft transversed to said fork, a finger fixed to said shaft substantially midway between said shoulders, a cross bar supported by said front and rear walls located above said shaft and a vacuum valve provided with a flap fixed to said cross bar and manipulated by said finger in response to movement of said shaft through said connecting rod. 